SheInvests: On a mission to empower women in finance

In an industry long dominated by male voices and outdated models, SheInvests has an ambitious goal in mind.

Founded by brokerage Flint and driven by a cast of women including Emma Stephens, Ana Souza, Laura Williams, Lauren Franzmann, Mia Castellarin, Sinead Grant, Tahli Elliott and Victoria Stefano, SheInvests wants to rewrite the blueprint for how women approach finance.

More than just an initiative, SheInvests is out to provide a platform for education, empowerment and lasting change.

At the helm is Emma Stephens, a seasoned broker with over two decades in finance. But SheInvests isn’t just her vision – Stephens stresses that it’s a collective response to an industry that hasn’t always made women feel seen or heard.

“SheInvests was born out of both professional insight and deeply personal experience,” Stephens tells MPA. “Now, as the conversation around women and wealth gains momentum, SheInvests offers a much-needed space where women are seen, supported and empowered.”

Built on the lived experiences of its founders and team and powered by Flint’s national broking platform, SheInvests wants to break down the barriers women face at every stage of their lives.

“Over two decades in finance, I witnessed countless women – single mothers, business owners, professionals – hesitate to step into property ownership or investment simply because they felt the system wasn’t built for them,” Stephens says.

She recalls how her journey through career reinvention and motherhood underscored the importance of having guidance you can trust. Now is the right time for SheInvests, says Stephens, “because the conversation around women and wealth has finally reached the mainstream.”

SheInvests was born out of both professional insight and deeply personal experience - Emma Stephens, SheInvests

Women control more assets and purchasing decisions than ever before, she notes, yet they remain underserved by traditional finance.

“SheInvests is here to change that narrative and build a community where women feel supported, seen and capable.”

There are a number of gaps that she hopes SheInvests can bridge: confidence, accessibility, representation and community. “We simplify the language, address life transitions, and connect women through a support network that reflects their real experiences.”

Of course, while Stephens is the director, SheInvests is the culmination of the efforts of many remarkable women.

Mia Castellarin, Flint’s senior CX for high-net-worth individuals, is one such woman. “SheInvests isn’t just about finance; it’s about freedom,” Castellarin tells MPA. “We don’t just teach; we transform. Confidence comes when you feel understood, not judged.”

In Castellarin’s words, short-term success at SheInvests means that “every woman who walks through our doors and walks out with a loan, a plan and a sense of power she didn’t know she had”.

As for the long term? “Nothing less than a revolution. We want to see an industry where women dominate portfolios and never again have to ask, ‘Is this space for me?’”

More than just finance

While SheInvests, at its core, serves to secure mortgage finance for women entering the property market, it’s the support network that sets the platform apart from its contemporaries.

SheInvests has teamed up with dozens of women leaders in the finance space, including Molly Benjamin, founder of Ladies Finance Club. Benjamin says, “Emma has been one of our biggest champions – speaking at events, supporting women and helping grow our community.”

We want to see an industry where women dominate portfolios and never again have to ask, ‘Is this space for me? - Mia Castellarin, SheInvests

For Gemma Mitchell, financial adviser, money coach and host of the Australian Finance Podcast, SheInvests is her go-to referral for clients who need more than just a loan. “They bring strategy, empathy and results,” says Mitchell.

“Now, as the conversation around women and wealth gains momentum, SheInvests offers a much-needed space where women are seen, supported and empowered,” Stephens says. 

The SheInvests team (from left): Sinead Grant – director, FHB specialist; Mia Castellarin – senior CX (HNW); Tahli Elliott – head of operations (SA); Emma Stephens – director, SheInvests; Ana Souza – group operations manager; Victoria Stefano – head of marketing (SA); Lauren Franzmann – senior CX (FHB); Laura Williams – head of settlements

SheInvests Empowerment Platform

• National masterclasses: In-person events designed to educate, inspire and connect women across all life stages with expert-led property and finance strategies
• Digital education hubs: Always-on access to learning tools, resources and property guides tailored specifically for women
• Interactive webinars: Live sessions covering everything from first home buying to building investment portfolios, hosted by the SheInvests team and special guests
• Bespoke tools and templates: Goal-setting frameworks, property planning worksheets and investment calculators built with women in mind
• National events and community: Expanding across major cities to create a movement of women supporting women in their property and wealth-building journeys

It’s this access to inspirational women in finance that has made SheInvests stand out in an increasingly saturated mortgage finance market.

As Ana Souza, Flint’s group operations manager, says, “Any brokerage can offer home loans. SheInvests is a safe space where women are seen, heard and supported. We’ve been underestimated too – and we lead with empathy. That’s our difference.”

She adds, “Financial literacy is a basic right. And we’re here to make sure women have the tools, the knowledge and the support to claim it.”

Client testimonials rattle off glittering stories of how the SheInvests crew has helped them secure a home loan when other brokerages have dropped the ball. They speak of the team’s “never-say-no attitude” and Stephens being “a tireless advocate for women’s financial independence”.

For example, SheInvests can help single mothers map out a clear path to homeownership, utilising low-deposit options and government support to make this goal attainable. For young professionals, the focus could be on leveraging their income early, empowering them to start building wealth from the outset of their careers.

When it comes to women navigating significant life changes – such as divorce or a career shift – Stephens emphasises the importance of providing both structure and clarity, alongside compassionate guidance.

“We meet women exactly where they are,” says Stephens. “These women are often told what they can’t do, but rarely shown what’s possible,” adds Victoria Stefano, Flint’s head of marketing (SA). We customise solutions that respect real life, factoring in income, kids, time and opportunity. No cookie-cutter advice – just strategy that honours the whole woman.”

Built on personal experience

The many women who have come together to make SheInvests a reality have a wealth of shared experiences to draw inspiration from.

Lauren Franzman, senior CX for first home buyers at Flint, recalls having to work twice as hard as her male counterparts to be taken seriously. “But I used that as motivation,” says Franzman. “I’ve built deep connections with clients, especially young women who feel the same way.”

Financial literacy is a basic right, and we’re here to make sure women have the tools, the knowledge and the support to claim it - Ana Souza, SheInvests

Franzman adds, “We don’t assume or preach – we listen and tailor our support. It’s all about empathy and realness. Confidence comes from clarity, and that’s what we offer.”

Laura Williams, head of settlements at Flint, explains how “every part of SheInvests is informed by our journeys. We’ve all faced situations where the system didn’t quite fit us.”

Being part of a female-led initiative is “energising and meaningful”, adds Williams. “We’re not just working in finance; we’re redefining what leadership looks like.

“Being female-led allows us to challenge outdated models and bring in inclusive, human-centred perspectives. We’ve experienced being underestimated – now we lead with clarity and conviction.”

Meanwhile, Tahli Elliot, Flint’s head of operations (SA), says, “It’s both challenging and rewarding to operate in a space historically dominated by men.”

There is “motivation in defying stereotypes and creating a space where women feel represented and valued”, she adds.

A big vision

SheInvests is gearing up for a major expansion, with a wave of new initiatives set to roll out nationwide.

“This is just the beginning,” says Stephens, teasing a whole load of national events, education hubs for connecting role models with aspiring investors, plus a new online platform with practical guides and interactive tools so women can access support any time, anywhere.

Being female-led allows us to challenge outdated models and bring in inclusive, human-centred perspective - Laura Williams, SheInvests

Then there are the masterclasses, webinars and podcasts that are in the works.

“Emma’s got a big vision, and it’s moving fast,” says Stefano. “SheInvests is building more educational tools, hosting events and finding new ways to reach women who may not even realise what’s possible for them yet. It’s growing with purpose.”

SheInvests is also calling on more passionate female brokers to join and help build the community.

To learn more, visit flintgroup.au/sheinvests